Shock-absorber.



is suoli' their this retardation will be effective. upon. the slightest flexing end return of the WILLIAM 0. GILBERT, 0F OHAHA, NEBRASKA.

siocK-Aiasonisnn.

Specicatioii of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 29, 1918.

021511111 application Med. Inns 9, 1918, Serial. No, 102,635. Divided and this application led October 14,

19M. Eer1a110 125,540.

slilcicli: to the body of the vehicle and the oom c'ii'paiits thereof will be prevented.

li'i the improvement Which have developed, :and which `will be hereinafter de scr'bed. the construction is such that there is no inici/ference with the ilexing ofltlie spring underitsv lordi, it being free to yield deditiwardly without any appreciable retardation,

so .thetits full resiliency under the load is. utilized., but the spring on its upiver'd move inent `'will be retarded; and the improvement spring',

although the device, which. l shell now di" 'ribe in detail, having relerenceto the drab-viii vliicli. accompany and form s par-t o' this eclosure, will be equally efective-.in retarding the return of. the spring from the liinit of its flexed position. In other words, the-'action of the shock absorbe-r is; only during that period when retardation is desirable, and is effective from the in.ini

Y muni degree-of llexure of the spring to a in ax'imuiii movement thereof.

This application isa division of application for Letters Patent filed by nie thel 9th Fig 'i' is sin inside vieri" oit one of tlie trim dey ofJune', 1916, Serial No. 102,635.

In the drawings,- .Figure 1 shows oneernbodiinciit of my iinproved shock absorber in eleviition together with so much of a vehicle body and4 e. spring of zinot unusual type as will serve to illus'- tiote the application of my invention.

2' is 'zi vertical sectional view, on o larger seele than that of Fig. 1, oi the shock absorber.

3 is' e, vertical sectioiinl vier; token. et

riglit'angles to theline of tio.; nl. Fig. 2.

l of being sudden, will be. gradual. land tion disks showing the brake bend in posi- 55 tion -about its periphery.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of my improved shock absorber showing aslightly` different form'of connection between -the absorber and the 'relatively movable part 'of the vehicle.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, like numerals indicating like parts in the several views, 10 designates a portion of a vehicle' body, 11 e spring of the semi-elliptie type applied. thereto, and 12 shows conveiiH tionally an axle.

Secured to one of the springconnec ted parts (vehicle body or running gear) but preferably to a. stationary art of. the-running gear, eitlienthe axle as shown inthe present case) or' to anyother convenient part,

rise casing '13, of any suitable forimsaid casing being mounted on e saddle or other appropriately formed plint 14 seated upon the axle, suitable securing'rneans, :is clips 15 or other appropriate devices, being provided to secure the vsaddle 14 liitedly to Athat part of the running gear on which it is mounted, f t'lie only necessity being that the casing 13 80 carriedfby .the saddle 14, together Wit-h its contained retarding mechanism, be so mounted with respect to the spring 11 that the spring' will'be effectively retarded on its" upward throw or movement after the same has beenfflexed.

Any .convenient forni of sddle or support may be used, but that. herein.. disclosed-is substantially 'lf-shaped, vthe" body-'portion resting on the' axle to vW'liicli it iys'sec'ii'ed by' the clips 1.5, onset each end, the. 'centi-'a1' leg of' the T forming the point of Aattachment for the cesingl and its associated parte.

The said casing 13 comprises :i central ring-like member 16, provided with e.. redi :illyeprojecting standard 17 which litsa suitA :dile aperture or socket' in the central leg ,of the bracket .14, shown in Fig. 2, in which. it may he. secured in any suit-.able manner, :is by ri nut threaded to the end of the Standerd, askshown. 'j I,

.Scciiid'to seid ring-sliapcd fremef plates' 18 Whicliinclose the ratchet and p' mechanism, hereinafter described, erich f seid plates being forii'icd in two parts, Wli'i'cli' 0 together form :i ci colar disk, but which of unequal eren, the line .of division bet'we the plates being a chord so as to give uneq iis nl lili segments, the upper ore of Which is the larger. Theplates 18have journal bearings preferably formed by thickening the plates at 19, to provide a bearing for a shaft `2 0 which may be hollow, as shown, and preferably suitable antefriction bearing elements 21 Will b -nterposed between the bearings 19 and the Shaft 20, as shown in Fig. 3.

Formed integrally with said shaft 20, as shown in Fig. 3, are disks 22, said disks lying outsideof the side plates 18 heretofore described and foi-ming one of the friction elements of the device. Ifdesired, the disks 22 may beniade separate of the shaft 20 and secured thereto in any suitable manner.

The said shaft 20 has also, integral there# with or separate and suitably secured thereto, a centrally disposed ratchet wheel 23 which', together with thepawl mechanism presently to be described, is cllectivef to initiate the retai'dingf action of the absorber.

Each. of tliedisks 22 is relatively broad at its criphery thereliy providing a surface of suiiicient width to receive an ordinary brake band retained upon the periphery of the disk by means ota peripheral retaining flange "24 .extending outwardly from the outer edgeot the disk.' The brake band, in

" thepresent i'i'istan'ce.- comprises a metallic band 25 lined with 'a strip 2G of leather or other suitable v triction material, but, of course, it may be' oi'any approved construction. The opposite `ends ot' the nietallic band 25 are tied 'together by means of a bolt 27 havingr a init 2 8 threaded upon one of its ends. A vtei'isioiiiiigir spring is coiled about oneend of the 'bolt-and.engages at one end against the head of the, bolt, and at the other against the metallic band, and this tensionin spring is adjusted to rcsiliently hold the brake band in close Contact with the periphery of the disk 22, the tension ot the 'spring 29 being `varied by nicaiisotl .the nut- 28.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 4, I have shown themetallic portions 250i' the brake band as lhaving arms 30 which maybe. integral with the brake bands or secured thereto in any-snitofthe spring 11.

Bis

able man-nei', and `t he outer ends-ot the arms 30 Iare coupled by a link -31 4to either the vehicle body or. chassis. so as to give a pivotal connection between the arms 3,0 ot the shock absorl-Jer a-nil the relatively movable vehicle.

In Fig. 5, I havesliown the brake bands as connected to the body .portion of the'vchi cle by -meaiis oiE straps 252 ot' any suiiable' material which encircle the brakel bands and.

are connectedthereto as at 33. A coil sprint,r

.34 is contacted at one cud to onil of the disks 22 and ai its other end to the bracket 14 for the purpose of wrapping; the straps 32 about the brake "bands upon a downward movementof the veliiclebody l() and the flexing The upper sections ofthe plate a18 heretofore referred to, are provided with plates 35,

ably equal to the width of the pawl seats.

The said plates 35 are placed opposite each other and form seats for a. series of bars f' which are free to move in and out of say.' slots 36. The said bars 38 form paws vadapted to automatically engage the teeth 39l on the ratchet Wheel 23 as best`shown in Fig. 2. `It will be observed that the inclinationof the pawl seats 36 is suoli that the pawls 38 will by gravity tend to fall or slide downwardly, thus insuring constant engagement of the pawls with the teeth of the ratchet Wheel 23.

It is obvious, of course, that the pawls 38 would be equally effective if arranged at an)y other position, and provided with means such as springs, or other suitable incans to iinpel them forwardly and hold theni against the ratelieted' periphery of the friction member 23, but I prefer the arrangement herein disclosed` for the reason that springs are eliminated, and that the pawls are controlled by gravity.

- With the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4, it will be obvious that when rotating movement is given to the brake bands 25, by a downward movement of the vehicle bod)7 l0 and liexing of the spring 11` through the medium of the connectingliiik 31 and the arnis 30, the said brake bands. disks 22, shaft 20 and ratchet wheel 23 will be revolved owing to the frictional engagement between the brake bands and the peripheries of the disks, since ratchet teeth 39, niovinnj in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2. trail idly beneath `the pawls 38, which are lifted in their seats as the ratchet teeth rotate beneath them.

)n the return or upward movement ot' the vehicle body, there is a tendency to impart a movement of rotation in the, opposite di rect-ion through the connections' just. described, to the brake bands, tlie disks 22 and tlie ratchetv wheel 23, for sonic one ot' the pawls 3G which is iii contact always with the face of the ratchet wheel will engage av v22, but immediate] thus created will effectively retard the return of the body, preventmg'any sudden .rebound but compe ling an easy and retarded upward movement of the body.

With the Vconnections between the .vehicle bod and the shock absorber shown-in Fig. 5, t e operation -of the device is similar to that just I"described With this structure,

upon downward movement of the vehiclel body, tension upon the straps 32 isrelieved and the spring -34 revolves the disks 22 ogether With the brake' bands, and t e ratchet Wheel '23 in a direction .to rewrap the straps about the peripheries of the disks upon return movement of thev vehicle bo y, the straps 32 havin been snugly Wrapped upon the disks'22, an

one of the ratchet teeth '39 having been brought into engagement with one of the pavvls 38 to prevent rotation of the ratchet Wheel together with the disk 22 .in the opposite direction, the bandsslip. about the disks 22' and the friction between the bands and the disks retards the upward movement of the vehicle body, and the body nieves into normal position with an easy and relatively slow movement.

The casing. 1 3 is preferabl closed tight,

so -as to provide a reservoir or oil, so that api the various parts of thejs'hock absorber ma f be maintained in a p.ro er1 hmwtedond, tion. v v ..3 v l Inf'order that the-lookin lated'- disks-22 'lipward move` may'- take ,place which effect retardation off partitions bear a. certain' diminished and be of odd or evenzgnumben the number of teethover which .',t'hefpawls perate may be varied, and 451;:

.wheel equal to one-half of a space, that is Width of hanged.

avvls and pawl' partitions ma. have in the present instance 'i u strated four' te. J1 positioned beneath fthe paivls land.

three' and onehalf .spaces lover each tooth, the partitions 37 and the ,porvi-seats@ being referred to, alike, as spaces.

same or uniform Width, and the 'relation which they. bear to the" length oft-heratchet.. tooth is asthree'and one-half to' one,- namel y,' there are three and one-haiiv spaces, that 1s,

pavvls` and pawl' partitions Ito each ratchet tooth, and in thls embodiment4 the 'parvis and pawl, spaces, which total' afoi'lrteen in number, extend over four tooth. lengths. With this arrangement, it will be seen-that one of the ratchet teeth Will'engage one of the pawlsupona movement of the ratchet one-Half vtlieividth o fthepawl or pawl par ported vehicles, lng,l of a shaft mountedfin the casin a fr cl et. tooth', Vand j dig- Iietarding `member and rotatable-'there titi'on. Thus u on the slightest iexing and return ofthe ve iicle sr'ing one ratchet tooth will engage one of t e pawls and theretardationof the spring will be immediately effected.

Of course the arrangement of teeth and pawls may be varied as desired, und the amount of movement of theteeth before lany one ofthem engages one of the ratchel's-to effect retardation of the sprin depends on the number of teeth, the num er'of spaces covering the length of one tooth, and the lng, of a shaft mounted in the cas-n afri'c-- ltional disk mounted upon'the sha t on the4 outside of' said casing, a' reta-rding member about the .periphery ofsa-iddisk, means for imparting u ,movemen't of'rotation to -said rictiomrl fdisk and lretardingmember-on movement'offthd vehicle body-and exure of the spring',l and rmeans withmsthe casingto return movement .of thefvehicie' body,

2.-"In al shocky absorber for sprngsupthe combination vvitha castional disk mounted upo'n thesha t on' the outside of said casing, 'a brake band about the periphery of. said disk,imeans for im? f artlng a movement .of rotation to said bra-ke and andfrictional disk onfmovement ofthe.

vehicle body and flexure of the spring,.'a nd'- means Within the casing to prevent rotation of said friction'al disk on return n'iovemen'tof the vehicle' body.

' 34 In? a Shock bSOrber for lspring gap-* ported vehicles, thejcombinatiou with ,a cas lng, ofa retardingmember having a wh' within said casing', and a retarding elemen on theiloutside of the casing andfrotatab'le 4With said Wheel, a second retardings-elerncnt;

encircling said retarding element of 'the -in b'oth directions, means t0 impart .ment of'rotation to saidgretardmgmem ers lon movement 'ofthe-vehicle body-,and Y- forengagingfsaidwheel to' reventrotation "of the first retarding mem er upon return movement of thevehlcle body.

of thesprings, and means Within 4'the-"easing 4. In a, shock `absorber for spr-ing supported vehicles, the combination with a casing, ofa ret-arding member having rotating retarding elements without and. on each side of "said casing, retarding members encircling and infrlctlonal engagement with caehef said 'elements of the first etardprevent rotation of said i,frictional I. dish-fon iota" the vehicle body ingimember, means for varying the friction between said retarding members and. ele ments, means to impart. a movement of ro tation to all or said retardingniembers on' movementof the zehivle body and exure of the spring, and means for preventing rotation of said first reiardin member upon return movement of the vehic ebody.

5. In a shock absorber for spring supported vehicles, thec-ombil'iatim with 'a cas# ing, ofV a shaft mounted in the casing, a ratchet wheel Within the casing ixcdly mounted on the shaft. a fractional disk fixedly mounted ons-aid .shaft oneither side of' said casing, a brake band about the peripheries of saiddisks, means for imparting a movement of rotation to said brake bands Vand frictional disks onimovernent of the ve hicle body and iiexure of the springs, and means within the casing a'da'pted'to' engage said ratchet. wheel to prevent-rotation of `said frictional disks on return movement of 6. In =a shock lng, of a retarding'member'having a pair of disks upon the outside of the casing anda ratoheted element `within said-,casing,'a re tarding member'encircling andvin fractional engagement. with each ot said disks and rotatable' inv both' directions, mea-ns to impart la movement of rotation to ali of said-retard I disks up ingamembers on 'movementfof 'the vehicle body and iexure of the spring, means for engaging said ratoheted element to .prevent disks'androtata le in both directions, means to impart a `movement ofJrotatlon to allsaidretarding members on movement of the vehicle body and exure of the springs', and a gravity.7 pawl to Yengage said. ratrfbetcd wheel and prevent rotation thereofon retl1llim0v`m11t 0f thefzvohiele lio( 8. In -a-` shock absorber 57"':1

-pavvls slidabiy mounted 1n absorber for a spring sup` ort-ed vehicle, 'the combination with a eas' nesses.

sri ai: su pported vehicles, the combination with a ons lug` of a shaft, a ratchet wheel Within theY oasifzgjixed `to said shaft, a friction disk wiluoiit the casing shaft', a retarding, element encircling and in engagement with said disk and rotatable in both directions, means to impart a move- 'ment of rotation to said retarding member and disk on movement of the vehicle body and iexure of the springs, and series of said casing an one o'which may enga e said ratchet whee 9. In a shockgabsor r for spring sus 'orted vehicles, the combination with a casmg, of a shaft mounted in the casing, a ratchet wheel within said easing fixedl mounted on said shaft, a 'frictional disk mounted upon the shaft on either side of said casing, a brake band about the peripheries of said disks means for imparting a movement of rotation thereto and said frictional disks on movement of the vehicle bodyand iexure of the spring, and pawls within the casing any one of which is adapted to enga e saidratchet wheel to piove-nt rotation o, said frictional disk on return movement .of the vehicle body,

10.' In a shock absorber for spring supported vehicles, the combination vwith a casmg, of a'l shaft mounted in the casing, a ratchetwheel Within said casing ixedl fmounted on said shaft, a vfrictional dis mounted on the shaft on either side of said casing, abrake band about the peripheries of said disks, means for imparting a. movement of rotation thereto and said {rit-.tional disks on movement of the vehici'e body'and lexure ofthe spring pawls Awithin the cas ing any one of which is adapted to engage and also fixed to saiil'v saidv ratchet iiheelto prevent rotation of my hand in presence of tvvo subscribingwia 

